Cirque de Gavarnie
D921Luz-Saint-Sauveur to Gavarnie · Hautes-Pyrénées
Distance11.8mi · 19 km
Drive time24 minon the road
DifficultyModerate
MountainValley
The valley road to a UNESCO-listed Pyrenean cirque and its great waterfall.
The D921 runs south from Luz-Saint-Sauveur through Gèdre to the village of Gavarnie, the gateway to a colossal natural amphitheatre crowned by one of Europe's highest waterfalls and listed by UNESCO as part of Pyrénées-Mont Perdu. The drive climbs steadily up a tightening glacial valley, passing the old Pont Napoléon, with the cirque walls filling the windscreen on the approach. It is scenic and steady rather than technical. Mind the heavy summer tourist traffic, narrow stretches near the village, and winter snow and ice on the upper valley.
Where it runs
Luz-Saint-SauveurStart · Hautes-Pyrénées
GavarnieEnd · France
Character
Corners30bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Hairpins2tight bends
Climb776 mtotal ascent
Summit1382 mhighest point · 4534 ft
SpringSummerAutumn
Elevation
690 m rangeKnow before you go
- Heavy summer tourist traffic
- Narrow village approaches
- Winter snow and ice
Sources
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Cirque de Gavarnie.
